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Nguyen VT, Tessema M, Weissman BE. The SWI/SNF Complex: A Frequently Mutated Chromatin Remodeling Complex in Cancer. Cancer Treat Res 2023; 190:211-244. [PMID: 38113003 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-45654-1_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
The switch/sucrose non-fermenting (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodeling complex is a global regulator of gene expression known to maintain nucleosome-depleted regions at active enhancers and promoters. The mammalian SWI/SNF protein subunits are encoded by 29 genes and 11-15 subunits including an ATPase domain of either SMARCA4 (BRG1) or SMARCA2 (BRM) are assembled into a complex. Based on the distinct subunits, SWI/SNF are grouped into 3 major types (subfamilies): the canonical BRG1/BRM-associated factor (BAF/cBAF), polybromo-associated BAF (PBAF), and non-canonical BAF (GBAF/ncBAF). Pan-cancer genome sequencing studies have shown that nearly 25% of all cancers bear mutations in subunits of the SWI/SNF complex, many of which are loss of function (LOF) mutations, suggesting a tumor suppressor role. Inactivation of SWI/SNF complex subunits causes widespread epigenetic dysfunction, including increased dependence on antagonistic components such as polycomb repressor complexes (PRC1/2) and altered enhancer regulation, likely promoting an oncogenic state leading to cancer. Despite the prevalence of mutations, most SWI/SNF-mutant cancers lack targeted therapeutic strategies. Defining the dependencies created by LOF mutations in SWI/SNF subunits will identify better targets for these cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinh The Nguyen
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Mathewos Tessema
- Lung Cancer Program, Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Bernard Ellis Weissman
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
- Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
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Xue Y, Morris JL, Yang K, Fu Z, Zhu X, Johnson F, Meehan B, Witkowski L, Yasmeen A, Golenar T, Coatham M, Morin G, Monast A, Pilon V, Fiset PO, Jung S, Gonzalez AV, Camilleri-Broet S, Fu L, Postovit LM, Spicer J, Gotlieb WH, Guiot MC, Rak J, Park M, Lockwood W, Foulkes WD, Prudent J, Huang S. SMARCA4/2 loss inhibits chemotherapy-induced apoptosis by restricting IP3R3-mediated Ca 2+ flux to mitochondria. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5404. [PMID: 34518526 PMCID: PMC8438089 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25260-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Inactivating mutations in SMARCA4 and concurrent epigenetic silencing of SMARCA2 characterize subsets of ovarian and lung cancers. Concomitant loss of these key subunits of SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes in both cancers is associated with chemotherapy resistance and poor prognosis. Here, we discover that SMARCA4/2 loss inhibits chemotherapy-induced apoptosis through disrupting intracellular organelle calcium ion (Ca2+) release in these cancers. By restricting chromatin accessibility to ITPR3, encoding Ca2+ channel IP3R3, SMARCA4/2 deficiency causes reduced IP3R3 expression leading to impaired Ca2+ transfer from the endoplasmic reticulum to mitochondria required for apoptosis induction. Reactivation of SMARCA2 by a histone deacetylase inhibitor rescues IP3R3 expression and enhances cisplatin response in SMARCA4/2-deficient cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. Our findings elucidate the contribution of SMARCA4/2 to Ca2+-dependent apoptosis induction, which may be exploited to enhance chemotherapy response in SMARCA4/2-deficient cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibo Xue
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Division of Medical Genetics, McGill University Health Centre, and Cancer Research Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jordan L Morris
- Medical Research Council Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Kangning Yang
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Zheng Fu
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Xianbing Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Fraser Johnson
- Department of Integrative Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Interdisciplinary Oncology Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Brian Meehan
- Department of Pediatrics, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Leora Witkowski
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Specialized Medicine, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Amber Yasmeen
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Segal Cancer Center, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Tunde Golenar
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Mackenzie Coatham
- Department of Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Geneviève Morin
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Anie Monast
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Virginie Pilon
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Sungmi Jung
- Department of Pathology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Anne V Gonzalez
- Department of Medicine, Division of Respiratory Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal Chest Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Lili Fu
- Department of Pathology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Lynne-Marie Postovit
- Department of Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Jonathan Spicer
- Department of Surgery, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Walter H Gotlieb
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Segal Cancer Center, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Christine Guiot
- Department of Pathology, Montreal Neurological Hospital/Institute, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Janusz Rak
- Department of Pediatrics, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Morag Park
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - William Lockwood
- Department of Integrative Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Interdisciplinary Oncology Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - William D Foulkes
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Division of Medical Genetics, McGill University Health Centre, and Cancer Research Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Specialized Medicine, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Julien Prudent
- Medical Research Council Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Sidong Huang
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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3
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Lee MJ, Kuehne N, Hueniken K, Liang S, Rai S, Sorotsky H, Herman M, Shepshelovich D, Bruce J, Liang M, Patel D, Cheng D, Chen Z, Eng L, Brown MC, Cho J, Leighl NB, de Perrot M, Reisman D, Xu W, Bradbury PA, Liu G. Association of two BRM promoter polymorphisms and smoking status with malignant pleural mesothelioma risk and prognosis. Mol Carcinog 2019; 58:1960-1973. [PMID: 31355511 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 06/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Brahma (BRM), of the SWI/SNF complex, has two 6 to 7 bp insertion promoter polymorphisms (BRM-741/BRM-1321) that cause epigenetic BRM suppression, and are associated with risk of multiple cancers. BRM polymorphisms were genotyped in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) cases and asbestos-exposed controls. Multivariable logistic regression (risk) and Cox regression (prognosis) were performed, including stratified analyses by smoking status to investigate the effect of polymorphisms on MPM risk and prognosis. Although there was no significant association overall between BRM-741/BRM-1321 and risk in patients with MPM, a differential effect by smoking status was observed (P-interaction < .001), where homozygous variants were protective (aOR of 0.18-0.28) in ever smokers, while never smokers had increased risk when carrying homozygous variants (aOR of 2.7-4.4). While there was no association between BRM polymorphisms and OS in ever-smokers, the aHR of carrying homozygous-variants of BRM-741, BRM-1321 or both were 4.0 to 8.6 in never-smokers when compared to wild-type carriers. Mechanistically, lower mRNA expression of BRM was associated with poorer general cancer prognosis. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments (ChIP) revealed high BRM insertion variant homology to MEF2 regulatory binding sites. ChIP experimentation confirmed MEF2 binding only occurs in the presence of insertion variants. DNA-affinity purification assays revealed YWHA scaffold proteins as vital to BRM mRNA expression. Never-smokers who carry BRM homozygous variants have an increased chance of developing MPM, which results in worse prognosis. In contrast, in ever-smokers, there may be a protective effect, with no difference in overall survival. Mechanisms for the interaction between BRM and smoking require further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Joon Lee
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nathan Kuehne
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Katrina Hueniken
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Shermi Liang
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Sudhir Rai
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Hadas Sorotsky
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michael Herman
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Daniel Shepshelovich
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Jeffrey Bruce
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mindy Liang
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Devalben Patel
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Dangxiao Cheng
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Zhuo Chen
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lawson Eng
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - M Catherine Brown
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - John Cho
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Natasha B Leighl
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Marc de Perrot
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - David Reisman
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Biostatistics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Penelope A Bradbury
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Geoffrey Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Orlando KA, Nguyen V, Raab JR, Walhart T, Weissman BE. Remodeling the cancer epigenome: mutations in the SWI/SNF complex offer new therapeutic opportunities. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2019; 19:375-391. [PMID: 30986130 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2019.1605905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cancer genome sequencing studies have discovered mutations in members of the SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable (SWI/SNF) chromatin-remodeling complex in nearly 25% of human cancers. The SWI/SNF complex, first discovered in S. cerevisiae, shows strong conservation from yeast to Drosophila to mammals, contains approximately 10-12 subunits and regulates nucleosome positioning through the energy generated by its ATPase subunits. The unexpected finding of frequent mutations in the complex has fueled studies to identify the mechanisms that drive tumor development and the accompanying therapeutic vulnerabilities. Areas covered: In the review, we focus upon the potential roles different SWI/SNF subunit mutations play in human oncogenesis, their common and unique mechanisms of transformation and the potential for translating these mechanisms into targeted therapies for SWI/SNF-mutant tumors. Expert opinion: We currently have limited insights into how mutations in different SWI/SNF subunits drive the development of human tumors. Because the SWI/SNF complex participates in a broad range of normal cellular functions, defining specific oncogenic pathways has proved difficult. In addition, therapeutic options for SWI/SNF-mutant cancers have mainly evolved from high-throughput screens of cell lines with mutations in different subunits. Future studies should follow a more coherent plan to pinpoint common vulnerabilities among these tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krystal A Orlando
- a Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine , University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , NC , USA
| | - Vinh Nguyen
- b Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine , University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , NC , USA
| | - Jesse R Raab
- c Department of Genetics , University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , NC , USA
| | - Tara Walhart
- d Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center , University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , NC , USA
| | - Bernard E Weissman
- a Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine , University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , NC , USA.,b Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine , University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , NC , USA.,d Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center , University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , NC , USA
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Yu Y, Cheng D, Parfrey P, Liu G, Savas S. Two functional indel polymorphisms in the promoter region of the Brahma gene (BRM) and disease risk and progression-free survival in colorectal cancer. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0198873. [PMID: 29894502 PMCID: PMC5997361 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and objective The Brahma gene (BRM) encodes a catalytic ATPase subunit of the Switch/Sucrose non-fermentable (SWI/SNF) complex, which modulates gene expression and many important cellular processes. Two indel polymorphisms in the promoter region of BRM (BRM-741 and BRM-1321) are associated with its reduced expression and the risk of susceptibility or survival outcomes in multiple solid cancers. In this study, we have examined these variants in relation to susceptibility and survival outcomes in colorectal cancer. Methods Genotypes were obtained using TaqMan assays in 427 cases and 408 controls. Multivariate logistic and Cox regression models were fitted to examine the associations of the BRM-741 and BRM-1321 genotypes adjusting for relevant covariates. Sub-group analyses based on tumor location and patient sex were also performed. In all analyses, indels were examined individually as well as in combination. Results Our results showed that there was no association between the BRM polymorphisms and the risk of colorectal cancer. However, genotype combinations of the BRM-741 and BRM-1321 variants were associated with the risk of colon cancer. Particularly, patients having at least one variant allele had increased risk of colon cancer when compared to patients with the double wild-type genotype. In the survival analyses, BRM-741 heterozygosity was associated with longer progression-free survival time in the colorectal cancer patients. A stronger association was detected in the male patients under the recessive genetic model where the homozygosity for the variant allele of BRM-741 was associated with shorter progression-free survival time. Conclusions Our analyses suggest that BRM-741 and BRM-1321 indels are associated with the risk of developing colon cancer and the BRM-741 indel is associated with the disease progression in colorectal cancer patients, especially in the male patients. Although our results show a different relationship between these indels and colorectal cancer compared to other cancer sites, they also suggest that BRM and its promoter variants may have biological roles in susceptibility and survival outcomes in colorectal cancers. Performing further analyses in additional and larger cohorts are needed to confirm our conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajun Yu
- Discipline of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Dangxiao Cheng
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Patrick Parfrey
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Geoffrey Liu
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Department of Medicine, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sevtap Savas
- Discipline of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
- Discipline of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
- * E-mail:
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6
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Di Giorgio E, Hancock WW, Brancolini C. MEF2 and the tumorigenic process, hic sunt leones. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2018; 1870:261-273. [PMID: 29879430 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2018.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Revised: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
While MEF2 transcription factors are well known to cooperate in orchestrating cell fate and adaptive responses during development and adult life, additional studies over the last decade have identified a wide spectrum of genetic alterations of MEF2 in different cancers. The consequences of these alterations, including triggering and maintaining the tumorigenic process, are not entirely clear. A deeper knowledge of the molecular pathways that regulate MEF2 expression and function, as well as the nature and consequences of MEF2 mutations are necessary to fully understand the many roles of MEF2 in malignant cells. This review discusses the current knowledge of MEF2 transcription factors in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eros Di Giorgio
- Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, P.le Kolbe 4, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Wayne W Hancock
- Division of Transplant Immunology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Biesecker Center for Pediatric Liver Diseases, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Claudio Brancolini
- Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, P.le Kolbe 4, 33100 Udine, Italy.
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Savas S, Skardasi G. The SWI/SNF complex subunit genes: Their functions, variations, and links to risk and survival outcomes in human cancers. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2018; 123:114-131. [PMID: 29482773 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2018.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Revised: 11/24/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
SWI/SNF is a multiprotein complex essential for regulation of eukaryotic gene expression. In this article, we review the function and characteristics of this complex and its subunits in cancer-related phenotypes. We also present and discuss the publically available survival analysis data for TCGA patient cohorts, revealing novel relationships between the expression levels of the SWI/SNF subunit genes and patient survival times in several cancers. Overall, multiple lines of research point to a wide-spread role for the SWI/SNF complex genes in human cancer susceptibility and patient survival times. Examples include the mutations in ARID1A with cancer-driving effects, associations of tumor SWI/SNF gene expression levels and patient survival times, and two BRM promoter region polymorphisms linked to risk or patient outcomes in multiple human cancers. These findings should motivate comprehensive studies in order to fully dissect these relationships and verify the potential clinical utility of the SWI/SNF genes in controlling cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sevtap Savas
- Discipline of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, NL, Canada; Discipline of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, NL, Canada.
| | - Georgia Skardasi
- Discipline of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, NL, Canada
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8
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Pasic I, Wong KM, Lee JJ, Espin-Garcia O, Brhane Y, Cheng D, Chen Z, Patel D, Brown C, Bucur R, Reisman D, Knox JJ, Xu W, Hung RJ, Liu G, Cleary SP. Two BRM promoter polymorphisms predict poor survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Mol Carcinog 2017; 57:106-113. [PMID: 28892201 DOI: 10.1002/mc.22736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Polymorphisms in the promoter of the BRM gene, a critical subunit of the chromatin remodeling SWI/SNF complex, have previously been implicated in risk and prognosis in Caucasian-predominant lung, head and neck, esophageal, and pancreatic cancers, and in hepatocellular cancers in Asians. We investigated the role of these polymorphisms in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk and prognosis. HCC cases were recruited in a comprehensive cancer center while the matched controls were recruited from family practice units from the same catchment area. For risk analyses, unconditional logistic regression analyses were performed in HCC patients and matched healthy controls. Overall survival analyses were performed using Cox proportional hazard models, Kaplan-Meier curves, and log-rank tests. In 266 HCC cases and 536 controls, no association between either BRM promoter polymorphism (BRM-741 or BRM-1321) and risk of HCC was identified (P > 0.10 for all comparisons). There was significant worsening of overall survival as the number of variant alleles increased: BRM-741 per variant allele adjusted hazards ratio (aHR) 5.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.89-11.54 and BRM-1321 per variant allele aHR 4.09, 95%CI 2.22-7.51. The effects of these two polymorphisms were at least additive, where individuals who were double homozygotes for the variant alleles had a 45-fold increase in risk of death when compared to those who were double wild-type for the two polymorphisms. Two BRM promoter polymorphisms were strongly associated with HCC prognosis but were not associated with increased HCC susceptibility. The association was strongest in double homozygotes for the allele variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Pasic
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.,University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Kit M Wong
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Jonghun J Lee
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Osvaldo Espin-Garcia
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.,University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Yonathan Brhane
- Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dangxiao Cheng
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Zhuo Chen
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Devalben Patel
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Catherine Brown
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Roxana Bucur
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Jennifer J Knox
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Wei Xu
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Rayjean J Hung
- Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Geoffrey Liu
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.,University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sean P Cleary
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota
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